Child was born in Ogden, but raised on a farm in Syracuse, Utah. He married Joan Haacke in 1957 and they are the parents of six children. Shortly after his marriage, Child began working at RC Willey Home Furnishings, which then had under five employees. His brother, William Child, as the son-in-law of the founder, was the owner. For a time, Child was president of RC Willey and the company had grown to seven stores by the time he retired.

1. Emeritus general authorities are individuals who have been released from active duties as general authorities. However, they remain general authorities of the church until their death. Except for the three former members of the Presiding Bishopric noted, all living emeritus general authorities are former members of the First or Second Quorums of the Seventy.2. These former members of the Presiding Bishopric did not serve as a Seventy during their time as a general authority.